DOCSLIB.ORG

My Story About My Journey

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
My Story About My Journey My Story • Name: Ingeborg Kuiper • Age: • My address is: • My postal address is: [same as above] • You can contact me on: • I want my story to be public. About my journey I acquired Lyme-like illness at home, in QLD. It started when I hugged my dog. Hours later, I was scratching at an itch in my neck. When I looked closer, I noticed it was a small tick. I started to get sick several days later. I was born in the Netherlands (ie outside of Australia) and had also travelled to Europe about 8 months before getting sick. While this means my case of Lyme disease is difficult to prove as being acquired in Australia, it is extremely unlikely that I acquired Lyme while in Europe. This is because I had been living in Australia for 15 years with no health problems and the recent trip to Europe was in the middle of winter, when ticks are inactive. Also, I am not aware of having been bitten by any ticks while in Europe, while I know I was bitten by a tick in Australia a few weeks before getting sick. Type of Bite: tick bite. I was relatively lucky, because I was able to get an accurate diagnosis within months of getting sick. This was as a result of sending blood samples overseas. I have since met many people with Lyme who took years to find out why they were sick; and these people tend to take a very long time to recover, even with effective treatment from overseas. I have positive blood tests from Infectolab, Germany. I tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, as well as a number of other related conditions: o Immune-suppression: o Low Natural Killer Cells (3, compared to reference of 6 – 29), o Low CD-57 positive NK-Cells, both Heparin (0, compared to reference 2 – 77) and absolute Heparin (11, compared to reference 130 – 360). Comments: “The CD57-cell-count indicates a chronic immune-suppressive situation which may be caused by Borrelia burgdorferi” o Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Comments: o Antibodies: “Anaplasma-IgM borderline antibodies detected, indicating an infection. Please send a control in 4-6 weeks”. o Elispot: “The Elispot indicates cellular activity against Ehrlichia.” o Chlamydia pneumoniae. Both the ELISA and Elispot were positive. Comment: “The detection of specific Chlamydia pneumonia –IgA-antibodies indicates an infection. Please consider the result of the Chlamydia pneumonia-Elispot”. o Mycoplasma pneumonia: Positive for IgA, and negative for IgG and IgM. o Epstein-Barr-Virus: Positive for lytic (12, compared to reference of <2) and latent (34, compared to reference of <2). Comment: “The Elispot-Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT) indicates cellular activity against Epstein-Barr-Virus.” Before finally getting a useful diagnosis, I had seen at least 10 doctors and medical practitioners in my journey and have been admitted to hospital 4 times for my illness. Unfortunately, as almost all Australian test results were negative, some hospital doctors started to come to the frustrating conclusion that my problems were psychological. Due to Australia's stance on Lyme I had to struggle to get an accurate diagnosis, and then again to get treatment. Despite having Medicare and private health insurance, I had to fund all diagnosis and treatment myself, including the overseas testing, flights, accommodation, treatment in Europe, and all medications. My life Prior to my illness, I lived a happy and healthy life. I have always maintained close to my ideal weight and have been very healthy. My husband and I have been foster parents for 18 years, and have fostered around 60 children in that time. My husband and I own a successful business that employs 55 staff. This illness came completely unexpectedly. Suddenly, within a matter of weeks, I was a patient with a “mystery” illness that no doctor could diagnose. I suffered continual pain throughout my body: pain that would move and come and go. My arms felt like they weighed 20 kg each. My heart would unexpectedly lose its rhythm, and skip beats. I was suddenly unable to climb a single flight of stairs without having to stop half-way and wait for my heart to get back to normal and my breath to come back. At first I was taken seriously. During a series of hospital admissions, several Doctors made serious and genuine attempts to find out what was wrong with me. However, after a seemingly never- ending series of negative test results, some doctors started to wonder whether the problem was psychological. There are no words that accurately describe how frustrating this is. We eventually found a “Lyme aware” doctor. This doctor (who we cannot name) was suspicious at how we found him/her, because he/she needs to keep his/her willingness to diagnose and treat Lyme a secret, due to the Australian medical authority's tendency to punish any doctor who treats Lyme. This doctor helped us organise testing for Lyme in the USA. In order to collect blood, we had to had to be very careful about what we said to the pathology collection staff. If we were to mention it was to test for Lyme, they would refuse to collect the blood. Having to work “under the radar” of the “authorities” reminded my husband and me of the stories our parents told us about living in Europe during the Nazi occupation. This was particularly ironic, given that I was eventually successfully treated in Germany. The test results from the US indicated Lyme, but were technically inconclusive. However, when viewed together with the pattern of symptoms, our “Lyme-aware doctor” was convinced that the problem was Lyme. On the strength of this diagnosis, we booked into the Borreliosis Centrum Augsburg (BCA) in Augsburg, Germany. The first thing BCA did was more blood tests, using German test technology. These results (summarised above) were conclusive: I clearly had Lyme, as well as a number of co-infections. The treatment program involved a number of weeks at BCA, in order to establish a routine that I would continue at home for approximately 1 to 3 years, depending on how I respond to the treatment. This was a little over one year ago. I have since made enormous improvements. I am able to function again. I have been able to resume my fostering and have taken in a number of children since getting better. The symptoms still come and go, but do so much less frequently, and much less intensely, and are getting less as time goes on. As mentioned at the start of this submission, I have been very lucky: my husband and I had the determination and resources to press on and get an accurate diagnosis, despite the Australian medical community's hindrance. We had we ability to go to Germany to get treatment, at short notice. Others have not been so lucky. At the clinic in Germany, one of the many Lyme patients we met was a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair. She was from Melbourne. She had suffered from this mystery illness for 10 years and eventually became wheelchair-bound before she finally got a diagnosis of Lyme. By the time she started getting the treatment she needed, the disease was so far advanced, that it is much harder to treat. We have kept in contact with her. She is also making progress, but her road to recovery is much longer and tougher than mine. When we met each other at the clinic in Germany, we sarcastically said to each other “I thought Lyme isn't supposed to exist in Australia”. It is only a matter of time before Australia wakes up, and accepts Lyme. When this finally happens, some doctors will have good reason to be ashamed of themselves, while others can be satisfied that they at least kept an open mind. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Infectious Disease
    INFECTIOUS DISEASE Infectious diseases are caused by germs that are transmitted directly from person to NOTE: person; animal to person (zoonotic The following symbols are used throughout this Community Health Assessment Report to serve only as a simple and quick diseases); from mother to unborn child; or reference for data comparisons and trends for the County. indirectly, such as when a person touches Further analysis may be required before drawing conclusions about the data. a surface that some germs can linger on. The NYSDOH recommends several The apple symbol represents areas in which Oneida County’s status or trend is FAVORABLE or COMPARABLE to its effective strategies for preventing comparison (i.e., NYS, US) or areas/issues identified as infectious diseases,, including: ensuring STRENGTHS. procedures and systems are in place in The magnifying glass symbols represent areas in which Oneida County’s status or trend is UNFAVORABLE to its communities for immunizations to be up to comparison (i.e., NYS, US) or areas/issues of CONCERN date; enabling sanitary practices by or NEED that may warrant further analysis. conveniently located sinks for washing DATA REFERENCES: hands; influencing community resources • All References to tables are in Attachment A – Oneida County Data Book. and cultures to facilitate abstinence and • See also Attachment B – Oneida County Chart Book for risk reduction practices for sexual behavior additional data. and injection drug use, and setting up support systems to ensure medicines are taken as prescribed.453 The reporting of suspect or confirmed communicable diseases is mandated under the New York State Sanitary Code (10NYCRR 2.10).
    [Show full text]
  • Chlamydia-English
    URGENT and PRIVATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HEALTH DIRECTIONS FOR SEX PARTNERS OF PERSONS WITH CHLAMYDIA PLEASE READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY Your sex partner has recently been treated for chlamydia. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that you can get from having any kind of sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) with a person who already has it. You may have been exposed. The good news is that it’s easily treated. You are being given a medicine called azithromycin (sometimes known as “Zithromax”) to treat your chlamydia. Your partner may have given you the actual medicine, or a prescription that you can take to a pharmacy. These are instructions for how to take azithromycin. The best way to take care of this infection is to see your own doctor or clinic provider right away. If you can’t get to a doctor in the next several days, you should take the azithromycin. Even if you decide to take the medicine, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as you can, to get tested for other STDs. People can have more than one STD at the same time. Azithromycin will not cure other sexually transmitted infections. Having STDs can increase your risk of getting HIV, so make sure to also get an HIV test. SYMPTOMS Some people with chlamydia have symptoms, but most do not. Symptoms may include pain in your testicles, pelvis, or lower part of your belly. You may also have pain when you urinate or when having sex. Many people with chlamydia do not know they are infected because they feel fine.
    [Show full text]
  • Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia Psittaci Infection Among
    Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017 Author(s): Gary Balsamo, DVM, MPH&TMCo-chair Angela M. Maxted, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ACVPM Joanne W. Midla, VMD, MPH, Dipl ACVPM Julia M. Murphy, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVPMCo-chair Ron Wohrle, DVM Thomas M. Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council) Pilar H. Fish, DVM (American Association of Zoo Veterinarians) Keven Flammer, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian) (Association of Avian Veterinarians) Denise Hyde, PharmD, RP Preeta K. Kutty, MD, MPH Miwako Kobayashi, MD, MPH Bettina Helm, DVM, MPH Brit Oiulfstad, DVM, MPH (Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists) Branson W. Ritchie, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ABVP, Dipl ECZM (Avian) Mary Grace Stobierski, DVM, MPH, Dipl ACVPM (American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine) Karen Ehnert, and DVM, MPVM, Dipl ACVPM (American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine) Thomas N. Tully JrDVM, MS, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ECZM (Avian) (Association of Avian Veterinarians) Source: Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 31(3):262-282. Published By: Association of Avian Veterinarians https://doi.org/10.1647/217-265 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1647/217-265 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf/Bookshelf NBK368467.Pdf
    BMJ 2019;365:l4159 doi: 10.1136/bmj.l4159 (Published 28 June 2019) Page 1 of 11 Practice BMJ: first published as 10.1136/bmj.l4159 on 28 June 2019. Downloaded from PRACTICE CLINICAL UPDATES Syphilis OPEN ACCESS Patrick O'Byrne associate professor, nurse practitioner 1 2, Paul MacPherson infectious disease specialist 3 1School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; 2Sexual Health Clinic, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5P9; 3Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario What you need to know Box 1: Symptoms of syphilis by stage of infection (see fig 1) • Incidence rates of syphilis have increased substantially around the Primary world, mostly affecting men who have sex with men and people infected • Symptoms appear 10-90 days (mean 21 days) after exposure with HIV http://www.bmj.com/ • Main symptom is a <2 cm chancre: • Have a high index of suspicion for syphilis in any sexually active patient – Progresses from a macule to papule to ulcer over 7 days with genital lesions or rashes – Painless, solitary, indurated, clean base (98% specific, 31% sensitive) • Primary syphilis classically presents as a single, painless, indurated genital ulcer (chancre), but this presentation is only 31% sensitive; – On glans, corona, labia, fourchette, or perineum lesions can be painful, multiple, and extra-genital – A third are extragenital in men who have sex with men and in women • Diagnosis is usually based on serology, using a combination of treponemal and non-treponemal tests. Syphilis remains sensitive to • Localised painless adenopathy benzathine penicillin G Secondary on 24 September 2021 by guest.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 European Guideline on the Management of Syphilis
    DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16946 JEADV GUIDELINES 2020 European guideline on the management of syphilis M. Janier,1,* M. Unemo,2 N. Dupin,3 G.S. Tiplica,4 M. Potocnik, 5 R. Patel6 1STD Clinic, Hopital^ Saint-Louis AP-HP and Hopital^ Saint-Joseph, Paris, France 2WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Orebro€ University Hospital and Orebro€ University, Orebro,€ Sweden 3Syphilis National Reference Center, Hopital^ Tarnier-Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France 42nd Dermatological Clinic, Carol Davila University, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania 5Department of Dermatovenereology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia 6Department of Genitourinary Medicine, the Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, UK *Correspondence to: M. Janier. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The 2020 edition of the European guideline on the management of syphilis is an update of the 2014 edition. Main modifications and updates include: - The ongoing epidemics of early syphilis in Europe, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM) - The development of dual treponemal and non-treponemal point-of-care (POC) tests - The progress in non-treponemal test (NTT) automatization - The regular episodic shortage of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) in some European countries - The exclusion of azithromycin as an alternative treatment at any stage of syphilis - The pre-exposure or immediate post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline in populations at high risk of acquiring syphilis. Received: 12 June 2020; Accepted: 4 September 2020 Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest related to this guideline. Funding sources None. Introduction EEA countries and particularly among men who have sex with Syphilis is a systemic human disease due to Treponema pallidum men (MSM).3 subsp.
    [Show full text]
  • Reportable Disease Surveillance in Virginia, 2013
    Reportable Disease Surveillance in Virginia, 2013 Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH State Health Commissioner Report Production Team: Division of Surveillance and Investigation, Division of Disease Prevention, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, and Division of Immunization Virginia Department of Health Post Office Box 2448 Richmond, Virginia 23218 www.vdh.virginia.gov ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In addition to the employees of the work units listed below, the Office of Epidemiology would like to acknowledge the contributions of all those engaged in disease surveillance and control activities across the state throughout the year. We appreciate the commitment to public health of all epidemiology staff in local and district health departments and the Regional and Central Offices, as well as the conscientious work of nurses, environmental health specialists, infection preventionists, physicians, laboratory staff, and administrators. These persons report or manage disease surveillance data on an ongoing basis and diligently strive to control morbidity in Virginia. This report would not be possible without the efforts of all those who collect and follow up on morbidity reports. Divisions in the Virginia Department of Health Office of Epidemiology Disease Prevention Telephone: 804-864-7964 Environmental Epidemiology Telephone: 804-864-8182 Immunization Telephone: 804-864-8055 Surveillance and Investigation Telephone: 804-864-8141 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • WHO GUIDELINES for the Treatment of Treponema Pallidum (Syphilis)
    WHO GUIDELINES FOR THE Treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) WHO GUIDELINES FOR THE Treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data WHO guidelines for the treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis). Contents: Web annex D: Evidence profiles and evidence-to-decision frameworks - Web annex E: Systematic reviews for syphilis guidelines - Web annex F: Summary of conflicts of interest 1.Syphilis – drug therapy. 2.Treponema pallidum. 3.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4.Guideline. I.World Health Organization. ISBN 978 92 4 154980 6 (NLM classification: WC 170) © World Health Organization 2016 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization are available on the WHO website (http://www.who.int) or can be purchased from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution– should be addressed to WHO Press through the WHO website (http://www.who.int/about/licensing/ copyright_form/index.html). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Lyme Disease?
    The threat of Lyme disease Dr Roger Evans Consultant Clinical Scientist National Lyme Borreliosis Testing Laboratory What is Lyme disease? • Also known as Lyme borreliosis • An infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, a gram negative spirochaete bacterium • Transmitted through the bite of an infected tick (Ixodes ricinus in the UK) – a tick needs to be attached to the skin for around 24 hours to transmit Borrelia sp. to a person. • Recognised clinical presentations: early localized, early disseminated and late Lyme disease • There are large gaps in our clinical understanding of Lyme disease, particularly for ‘Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome ‘ Picture credit: James Gathany Ixodes ricinus (tick) ecology/ life cycle Adapted from Manelli et al. 2011 Laboratory samples and cases of LB in Scotland 1996 to 2016 500 7000 450 6000 400 350 5000 300 4000 250 3000 200 Number of cases Number of samples 150 2000 100 1000 50 0 0 Cases Seroneg EM Year Samples GP study (2010-2012) • Three GP practices in NHS Highland region: Nairn, Culloden, Fort William • Number of laboratory cases compared to number of cases treated for Lyme disease without testing • About 2 x number of cases diagnosed by GP without lab testing compared to those that were tested • 2010-2011 • 1440 blood donors • Screened by EIA • EIA positive or equivocal samples confirmed by immunoblot (IB) • 60/1440 (4.2%) IB positive Munro et al (2015) Transfusion Medicine. Letter to the Editor doi: 10.1111/tme.12197 What does it cost? • Netherlands study (2010) – 5 health outcomes:
    [Show full text]
  • Leptospirosis: a Waterborne Zoonotic Disease of Global Importance
    August 2006 volume 22 number 08 Leptospirosis: A waterborne zoonotic disease of global importance INTRODUCTION syndrome has two phases: a septicemic and an immune phase (Levett, 2005). Leptospirosis is considered one of the most common zoonotic diseases It is in the immune phase that organ-specific damage and more severe illness globally. In the United States, outbreaks are increasingly being reported is seen. See text box for more information on the two phases. The typical among those participating in recreational water activities (Centers for Disease presenting signs of leptospirosis in humans are fever, headache, chills, con- Control and Prevention [CDC], 1996, 1998, and 2001) and sporadic cases are junctival suffusion, and myalgia (particularly in calf and lumbar areas) often underdiagnosed. With the onset of warm temperatures, increased (Heymann, 2004). Less common signs include a biphasic fever, meningitis, outdoor activities, and travel, Georgia may expect to see more leptospirosis photosensitivity, rash, and hepatic or renal failure. cases. DIAGNOSIS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by infection with the bacterium Leptospira Detecting serum antibodies against leptospira interrogans. The disease occurs worldwide, but it is most common in temper- • Microscopic Agglutination Titers (MAT) ate regions in the late summer and early fall and in tropical regions during o Paired serum samples which show a four-fold rise in rainy seasons. It is not surprising that Hawaii has the highest incidence of titer confirm the diagnosis; a single high titer in a per- leptospirosis in the United States (Levett, 2005). The reservoir of pathogenic son clinically suspected to have leptospirosis is highly leptospires is the renal tubules of wild and domestic animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis
    2019 GONORRHEA, CHLAMYDIA, AND SYPHILIS AND CHLAMYDIA, GONORRHEA, Dedication TAG would like to thank the National Coalition of STD Directors for funding and input on the report. THE PIPELINE REPORT Pipeline for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis By Jeremiah Johnson Introduction The current toolbox for addressing gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis is inadequate. At a time where all three epidemics are dramatically expanding in locations all around the globe, including record-breaking rates of new infections in the United States, stakeholders must make do with old tools, inadequate systems for addressing sexual health, and a sparse research pipeline of new treatment, prevention, and diagnostic options. Lack of investment in sexual health research has left the field with inadequate prevention options, and limited access to infrastructure for testing and treatment have allowed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to flourish. The consequences of this underinvestment are large: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2012 there were an estimated 357 million new infections (roughly 1 million per day) of the four curable STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.1 In the United States, the three reportable STIs that are the focus of this report—gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis—are growing at record paces. In 2017, a total of 30,644 cases of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis—the most infectious stages of the disease—were reported in the United States. Since reaching a historic low in 2000 and 2001, the rate of P&S syphilis has increased almost every year, increasing 10.5% during 2016–2017. Also in 2017, 555,608 cases of gonorrhea were reported to the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Syphilis NSW Control Guideline for Public Health Units
    Syphilis NSW Control Guideline for Public Health Units Revision history Version Date Revised by Changes Approval 1.0 01/06/2015 CDWG Revision CDNA/AHPPC 1.1 01/08/2016 CDB Case definition CHO 2.0 09/2016 CDB Update to align with the Syphilis Series of CHO National Guidelines (SoNG) v1.0 (endorsed 15 Jan 2015, released 21 Aug 2016), localised for NSW as indicated by [hard brackets]. 3.0 20/03/2019 CDB Update to align with the Syphilis Series of CHO National Guidelines (SoNG) v1.1 (endorsed 17 July 2018, released 03 Aug 2018), localised for NSW as indicated by [hard brackets]. 4.0 04/10/2019 CDB Update to implement timely follow-up of all CHO women of reproductive age in line with changing epidemiological trends in NSW as indicated by [hard brackets] 4.1 13/05/2021 CDB Updated to align with National Syphilis CHO (congenital) case definition v1.3 (endorsed 24 September 2020, implemented 1 January 2021, published 13 January 2021) 1. Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2 2. The disease ..................................................................................................................... 3 3. Routine prevention activities ............................................................................................. 5 4. Surveillance objectives ..................................................................................................... 5 5. Data management ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance for Reporting LGV Cases As Chlamydia to CDC Pdf Icon[PDF
    Guidance for Reporting LGV Cases as Chlamydia to CDC Background Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a specific type of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, caused by serovars L1-L3. As such, LGV positive specimens will be positive for C. trachomatis (“chlamydia”) on laboratory examination. C. trachomatis is a nationally notifiable condition; however, LGV as a condition separate from C. trachomatis is not nationally notifiable.1 Given that LGV is a type/serovar of C. trachomatis, LGV cases should be reported to CDC as a case of chlamydia. Most cases of LGV are among men who have sex with men (MSM). While LGV, separate from C. trachomatis, is not nationally notifiable, it is still reportable and of local surveillance interest in many jurisdictions. Because of that, CSTE maintains a surveillance case definition for LGV to assist in keeping its surveillance standardized across jurisdictions. Please refer to the case definitions for chlamydia and LGV for more information on how these cases are defined.2,3 Potential issues for conducting local LGV surveillance There are multiple barriers toLGV local surveillance. F irst, many laboratories do not have the capability to serotype strains of C. trachomatis and thus cannot identify LGV-specific strains. Second, the STD surveillance information system in a jurisdiction may not have the capability to store data on LGV cases where they are identifiable as LGV vs. non-LGV chlamydia. Potential issues for reporting LGV cases as chlamydia to CDC In jurisdictions that conduct local LGV surveillance, there may be challenges transmitting these cases to CDC as chlamydia. If LGV cases are stored in STD surveillance information systems separately from non-LGV chlamydia, the weekly transmission file sent to CDC may not appropriately map LGV cases to chlamydia.
    [Show full text]